Specialist II - Library for the Performing Arts

The New York Public Library • New York, NY

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Overview The Jerome Robbins Dance Division (JRDD) is the world’s largest library and archive of dance material. Original documentation is a core activity of the JRDD, essential to both the growth of our archival holdings and our services to the dance field. In 1974, based on significant community feedback, the Division initiated an oral history project that continues to this day. The Oral History Project (OHP) records the narratives of significant members from the dance communities and enshrines them within the Division’s archives. The Specialist II will serve as the Production Coordinator of the OHP which is one of the most visible positions in the JRDD to the dance field and is a critical partner in ensuring that our communities feel supported and heard.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Experience working in and/or with the dance community
• Excellent public service skills
• Familiarity with A/V equipment
• Successfully demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to work independently on complex projects.
• Proficiency managing digital files
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Coordinate pre-production and production tasks related to recordings
• Develop and sustain dance community relationships on behalf of the Division, extending invitations for interviews with oral authors and interviewers, and ensuring that communication is maintained after the recording period.
• Facilitate additional projects as needed, including community based oral histories or external site interviews.
• Work with the Library’s Office of Procurement to select vendors and independent contractors as necessary to complete aspects of the project.
• Work with the Curator and Assistant Curator to develop a list of interviewees.
• Spend out the OHP budget, including maintaining documents for grant reports.
• Provide reference on public service desks, by correspondence, and telephone.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees